There have been few pianists of Arrau's range and stature, and these invaluable live recordings can only reaffirm memories of another time, another place, where sheer musical caliber and quality counted above all. New audio restoration by Lani Spahr.

BBC Music Magazine, February 2013Live recordings from Arrau's prime, reflecting what made his playing great as well as its occasional shortcomings. Visionary Beethoven, bewitching Brahms and unusually grave Schumann.

American Record Guide, May/June 2013Disc 1: Beethoven's Sonatas 7, 13, and 23. Brescia, Italy, May 1973. The performances tend to sound more driven than we are used to today. The audience is remarkably quiet, but they applaud with enthusiasm. Disc 2: Much better sound, and in stereo too. The Eroica Variations and Sonatas 30 and 32 were recorded in Brescia in May 1977. Disc 3: The Schumann Sonata - repertory he has far more sympathy for. It's a monaural recording from May 1969, again in Brescia, and the Brahms 3 is from August 1975 in Turku, Finland. The former is a wonderfully expressive reading. The Brahms also has the pianist competing with himself - his Philips recording is readily available. It's a massive performance, well worth having.